Samoa's head of state may cancel Tahiti trip over political instability

The Samoan government is to consider whether it's newly elected Head of State, Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi, will attend the gathering of Polynesian royal families in Raiatea because of political instability in French Polynesia.

The private secretary for the head of state, Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua, says a decision will be made by cabinet soon.

This comes after leaders of French Polynesia's two biggest parties jointly sent a letter to Polynesian royal families, including the new Maori king in New Zealand, asking them to defer a planned visit to Raiatea because of the political crisis.

The gathering, scheduled for this week, was to bring together royal families from among others Hawaii, Tonga, Samoa and Rapa Nui.